Thanks for sharing this, RA.

RadioActive wrote:

The exact timeframe isn't known.

Hasn't a rollout of a music format switch or talk show revamp often happened after Labour Day? New school year, people back from vacation, etc.  I wonder if that's a possibility here.

So that leaves the question of who takes over NewsTalk Tonight.

That's a sad skeleton of a show, with Richards often trying to apologize for a GTA-centric topic and "explain" it to those listening on the (few) other stations carrying it. It can't quite click for local and can't quite click for a network show - caught in this weird middle ground. I don't think that show is working. The alternative, of course (especially to the bean counters), might be re-rolls from earlier in the day in those few hours, which is worse. I suppose we're beyond the possibility of a local Toronto-only show in those hours now.

I do like Hutton. Wonder if they'll give her a weekend slot show, or that evening role vacated by Richards - or at least part of it (and rerolls for an hour or two?).

I didn't need yet another reason to avoid 'The Rush', but now I have one. 

It's also possible that Hutton will get an entirely different shift - perhaps co-hosting The Rush with Richards? Remember, that show had two people back when it first appeared.

If that's the case, then what happens to the cross-country evening show? I'd like to see Shane Hewitt get that (having hosted the overnight nationwide show "The Shift" on Corus for a number of years,) although I want to make it clear that's my suggestion and there's absolutely no word if that's what they're doing. 

More significantly, who is paying for Hutton's airtime? She's a political operative who was (and maybe still is) employed as a contractor by our current Premier/Very Special FAS Posterboy.

The infestation of PR Professionals into broadcast media must eventually be managed. And we can hope that there's no mercy.

If they ended up giving the shift to Jim Richards, why the months and months and months of musical chairs?

Were they waiting for an answer from someone, say John Moore, about if he'd like to eventually take over afternoons again. And if he's said he would, this in-house move makes sense.

Whatever the reason congratulations to Jim Richards on the new shift. I hope he takes the ball and runs with it and I plan on checking the show out.

newsguy1 wrote:

The infestation of politicians onto radio airwaves has been going on for some time.
I grew up in Vancouver where it seemed just about any premier became a radio talk show host once they left office.
Or they were a radio host but ran for provincial office and became politicians, then switched back to radio after.
 

Well, that sounds familiar! I wonder who that is on our radio station?

An update to my update.

I'm not entirely sure how this will work, but the latest intel is that Deb Hutton will be on The Rush from 2-4, with Jim Richards on until 6. I've never heard of of a co-host leaving the drive home show halfway through it, but that could very well be the plan.

Still waiting to hear what happens to NewsTalk Tonight and who gets that shift. 

RadioActive wrote:

An update to my update.

I'm not entirely sure how this will work, but the latest intel is that Deb Hutton will be on The Rush from 2-4, with Jim Richards on until 6. I've never heard of of a co-host leaving the drive home show halfway through it, but that could very well be the plan.

Still waiting to hear what happens to NewsTalk Tonight and who gets that shift. 

I like your suggestion of Shane Hewitt taking on News Talk Tonight, I find him very engaging, however, not crazy about Deb Hutton getting The Rush gig, I find her a bit condescending at times. Onwards.

I don't listen to radio much in the afternoon and talk radio even less, however I have heard The Drive on CKTB a few times and generally it is superior to what Newstalk 1010 has on.  Jon Gonzo is easy to listen to,  less whiney and not negative about everything like 1010.  He actually has some fun and moves from light fluff to more serious topics easily.  The show has local news and Jon's sidekick also is easy to listen to and they work well together.  The program just seems more relaxed and natural than what CFRB has had on The Rush over the past few years.  And more fun.  

Already wrong on their site...Shane is doing 2 shifts .https://www.newstalk1010.com/shows.html
 

Last edited by peter (July 8, 2024 12:06 pm)

Seems they've updated it again. But this one doesn't show Jim Richards on at 4 PM. Bizarre.

Adjusting shows and schedules in the back-end of those sites is clunky and cumbersome - plus, you pretty much have to do it live with the website updating in real time as you edit.

peter wrote:

Demonstrates an unprofessional environment with untrained personnel

Or rather, an appropriate return on investment.
 

What would make a talk show like this click?